Zaporizhzhya NPP faces blackout threat after missile attack disconnects main power line
The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, currently under Russian occupation, is on the verge of a complete power blackout following a massive Russian missile attack on Ukraine at around 5:10 a.m. on March 22.
The critical 750kV Dniprovska overhead power line connecting the plant to Ukraine's integrated energy system was severed, Ukraine's state nuclear company Energoatom reported on Telegram.
Currently, the ZNPP is connected to the Ukrainian power grid by the OHL-330kV Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant line.
Read also: Zaporizhzhya NPP reliant on single power line, says state nuclear regulator
"This situation is extremely precarious and threatens with an emergency," said Energoatom Chairman Petro Kotin.
“If the last line of communication with the national power grid is disconnected, ZNPP will be in another blackout, which is a serious violation of the conditions for the safe operation of the plant.”
Read also: Casualties in Russia’s biggest attack of 2024: hydro, thermal, and nuclear stations in 8 regions hit
The line has recently been repaired by Ukrainian power engineers, as it had been out of service for a long time due to damage after a previous Russian attack.
Russia carried out the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times on March 22.
Russian strikes targeted and hit generation facilities, transmission, and distribution systems in various regions across Ukraine.
There are power outages in some regions. Engineers are already working to restore power to affected households.
Read also: Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant blackouts pose Fukushima-level threat, warns Ukraine's energy minister
In total, Russian forces launched 12 missile attacks on Zaporizhzhya, destroying seven buildings and damaging a further 35.
Police reported a "complete restriction" of traffic on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant dam.
In addition, critical infrastructure facilities were hit in Kryvyi Rih. Rolling blackouts have been introduced in the city to compensate for the lack of power.
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